2008 Woodie Awards
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER: Who Is That Little Man Behind the Curtain?
On one side: Big Business. On the other: Unions trying to preserve your voice in government.
Maggie Ownbey
Issue date: 10/26/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Much like looking at an illustration in a children's magazine, a closer look at Proposition 75 reveals items hidden within the bigger picture.
Gov. Schwarzenegger and the other supporters of Prop.75 insist that it is designed to protect public workers' rights-if passed it will stop public-employee labor unions from deducting a portion of an employee's union dues from their paychecks for political contributions without permission.
Employees already have the right to opt out and the 1988 ruling by the Supreme Court, Communications Workers v. Beck, states that workers who are forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment are not required to pay dues beyond those necessary for collective bargaining purposes. Therefore, despite what the big business concerns behind Prop 75 would have you believe, no employee is forced to give money for political purposes.
The truth is, their argument is nothing more than an attempt to silence teachers, police officers, firefighters and nurses from speaking out against Arnie's legislative moves. Union workers have been very vocal, asking, "Where's the $2 billion that has not been paid back to our schools?" "What's happening to our pension benefits?" and "What will happen to our power to lobby for a legislative voice?" After all, while he has accepted millions of dollars from big business, the governor has labeled these union workers- teachers, firefighters, and police officers-as "special interests."
Why would he take this outrageous stand? Is it because workers have been so successful in defending their rights from legislative and big business attacks?
That's the agenda hidden within Prop.75. It will give more political power with no restrictions on spending and lobbying to big corporations that support the governor's agenda.
The Governator and his cronies are trying to make it harder for union workers to fight back. And what happens then? Without that strong union voice, Schwarzenegger and the Legislature will cut funding for public schools, cut health care and pensions. Let's take a look at those supporters of Prop. 75 shall we-what a surprise...they're right-wing Republicans. Lead supporter Lewis Uhler, President, National Taxpayer Limitation Committee was a card-carrying member of the John Birch Society.
"We are empowering people and not taking power away," said Uhler, a conservative activist, about Prop. 75. He was apparently referring to his deep-pockets buddies and not the hard-working people who teach, protect and heal.
Gov. Schwarzenegger and the other supporters of Prop.75 insist that it is designed to protect public workers' rights-if passed it will stop public-employee labor unions from deducting a portion of an employee's union dues from their paychecks for political contributions without permission.
Employees already have the right to opt out and the 1988 ruling by the Supreme Court, Communications Workers v. Beck, states that workers who are forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment are not required to pay dues beyond those necessary for collective bargaining purposes. Therefore, despite what the big business concerns behind Prop 75 would have you believe, no employee is forced to give money for political purposes.
The truth is, their argument is nothing more than an attempt to silence teachers, police officers, firefighters and nurses from speaking out against Arnie's legislative moves. Union workers have been very vocal, asking, "Where's the $2 billion that has not been paid back to our schools?" "What's happening to our pension benefits?" and "What will happen to our power to lobby for a legislative voice?" After all, while he has accepted millions of dollars from big business, the governor has labeled these union workers- teachers, firefighters, and police officers-as "special interests."
Why would he take this outrageous stand? Is it because workers have been so successful in defending their rights from legislative and big business attacks?
That's the agenda hidden within Prop.75. It will give more political power with no restrictions on spending and lobbying to big corporations that support the governor's agenda.
The Governator and his cronies are trying to make it harder for union workers to fight back. And what happens then? Without that strong union voice, Schwarzenegger and the Legislature will cut funding for public schools, cut health care and pensions. Let's take a look at those supporters of Prop. 75 shall we-what a surprise...they're right-wing Republicans. Lead supporter Lewis Uhler, President, National Taxpayer Limitation Committee was a card-carrying member of the John Birch Society.
"We are empowering people and not taking power away," said Uhler, a conservative activist, about Prop. 75. He was apparently referring to his deep-pockets buddies and not the hard-working people who teach, protect and heal.
